Charity leaders’ confidence levels in their organisation’s financial situation stand at an all-time low according to NCVO’s latest Charity Forecast Survey.
Published on 29 September, at a time when spending cuts and the Big Society agenda are dominating party conference proceedings, the survey shows that confidence levels in the voluntary sector’s economy have hit their lowest level (-88 per cent) since the survey began three years ago. Respondents also demonstrated a loss of confidence in their organisation’s finances, the sector’s economy and the UK economy as a whole.
More than half of respondents (57 per cent) predicted that their organisation’s general situation would worsen over the next year. And, in a trend which reflects increasing anxiety about the impact of cuts to public services, net confidence levels have slumped by 24 percentage points since June, now standing at -40 per cent.
Nearly all respondents (91 per cent) felt that economic conditions in the voluntary sector would be negative over the next twelve months and 52 per cent of respondents expected to decrease expenditure over the next twelve months. 21 per cent of respondents also plan to decrease paid staff numbers over the next three months.
Commenting on the findings, Sir Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of NCVO, said:
“This latest survey really hits home the widespread concern the sector is feeling about its future prospects. It is crucial that the Government listens to the sector’s concerns. Spending cuts must be managed intelligently, otherwise they will compromise the sector’s ability to deliver vital services to the individuals and communities who need them most.”
NCVO Article: LINK
See the document here: LINK
